Canada is facing tough times. The threat of widespread U.S. tariffs puts our jobs, goods, and wallets at risk. This week our steel and aluminum sectors were hit. If these tariffs expand across industries like advanced manufacturing, automotive production, food, agriculture and forestry, the impacts will be severe – disrupting supply chains and critical services. Prices will rise, jobs will be cut, and families will face fewer options and greater uncertainty.
Now is the time for Canada to take charge of its future. That means investing in Canadian businesses, Canadian workers, and Canadian-made solutions. Publicly funded colleges and institutes are central to that effort. They help Canadians land good-paying jobs, support Canadian businesses as they grow and diversify, and drive the kind of innovation that strengthens Canadian industries and the economy. And, in tough times, they’ve always stepped up – helping local companies adapt and training the workers needed to keep our economy moving.
Today is no different. Colleges and institutes stand united, ready to serve Team Canada.
Driving Local Impact, Scaling National Transformation
With nearly 700 campuses nationwide, 95% of Canadians live within 50 km of a college or institute. That means these institutions are always within reach, providing workers, businesses, and families with the training and support they need, right where they are.
Deeply connected to their communities, colleges move fast. They collaborate with local industries, municipalities, and community organizations to meet the real-time needs of the people they serve – from housing and caregiving support to export and energy diversification and helping local businesses embrace new technologies, processes and products. And, with CICan’s convening power and leadership initiatives like our Futures Forum, colleges and institutes can coordinate efforts across the country, amplifying their impact in tackling both local and national challenges.
Preparing Workers for the Future Economy
For Canada to strengthen its economy from within, we need an adaptable, skilled workforce that can build, make, and innovate right here at home. From training electricians, technicians and engineers to supporting entrepreneurs, colleges and institutes provide essential skills through a wide range of demand-driven programs. In fact, with over 10,000 programs offered across various sectors within CICan’s network, 6.45 million Canadians in the workforce today are college and institute graduates.
When industries shift, colleges and institutes quickly adapt, working with partners to identify needs and offering retraining and upskilling to ensure no one is left behind. They also provide flexible learning options like online courses, short-term programs, or part-time study so workers can develop new skills without putting their lives – or paycheques – on hold. This kind of accessible, adaptable education is essential as Canada works to build a more self-sufficient and resilient economy.
Accelerating Homegrown Innovation
Canadian businesses – especially small and medium-sized ones – rely on colleges and institutes for innovation and expertise. With nearly 700 research labs across the country, colleges collaborate with Canadian companies to develop made-in-Canada products, enhance efficiency, and quickly pivot to meet evolving market demands, keeping them competitive.
The results speak for themselves. In just one year, college research led to 6,436 new processes, products, prototypes and services, with 80% of them developed in less than a year. This translates to fast, effective solutions that strengthen Canadian businesses, create more good jobs, and improve life for Canadians.
And with 98% of industry research partners based in Canada, intellectual property (IP) stays where it belongs – at home. Better yet, businesses – not colleges – retain full ownership of their IP, keeping the benefits in their hands while driving national wealth creation and economic growth.
Leveraging Global Partnerships
Colleges and institutes maintain global partnerships in over 50 countries, leveraging Canada’s reputation for excellence in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and its leadership in delivering critical skills training internationally.
These partnerships help Canadian businesses innovate, pivot, and expand into new markets, while also equipping workers with in-demand global skills that enhance Canada’s competitive edge on the world stage.
By tapping into our 135 public colleges and institutes, Canada can emerge from these challenges stronger and more resilient, with a workforce and economy ready to thrive in the face of uncertainty and transformation.
Colleges and institutes are here for you, Canada.